Hinged baffle for autoclave that deploys at a target temperature during a run cycle

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for operating an autoclave. One embodiment includes a baffle located in an autoclave during a run cycle of the autoclave. A release mechanism secures the baffle in a retracted position during the run cycle, and automatically releases the baffle to a deployed position during the run cycle, when a temperature inside of the autoclave reaches a target temperature, to alter airflow within the autoclave.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising:
 a baffle located in an autoclave during a run cycle of the autoclave; and 
 a latch that secures the baffle in a retracted position during the run cycle, and releases the baffle to a deployed position during the run cycle when a temperature inside of the autoclave reaches a target temperature to alter airflow within the autoclave. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the baffle attaches to a location within the autoclave with a hinge mechanism; and 
 the baffle is configured to pivot via the hinge mechanism from the retracted position to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the latch includes a material that melts at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the latch includes a material that softens at the target temperature, and flexes to release the baffle to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the latch includes a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) material that has a first shape to secure the baffle in the retracted position, and transforms to a second shape at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a spring mechanism that loads when the baffle is secured in the retracted position, and applies a return force to pivot the baffle to the deployed position when released. 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a stop that stops rotation of the baffle at the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an indicator that indicates when the baffle is released to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein:
 the indicator includes a thermocouple wire installed in a path between the retracted position and the deployed position of the baffle; and 
 the baffle breaks a connection of the thermocouple wire when pivoting from the retracted position to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       10. An apparatus comprising:
 an autoclave; and 
 at least one baffle element installed within the autoclave;
 wherein the at least one baffle element includes:
 a baffle; 
 a hinge mechanism that attaches the baffle to a surface inside of the autoclave, wherein the baffle is configured to pivot via the hinge mechanism from a retracted position to a deployed position to alter airflow within the autoclave; and 
 a latch that secures the baffle in the retracted position during a run cycle of the autoclave, and automatically releases the baffle to the deployed position during the run cycle when a temperature inside of the autoclave reaches a target temperature. 
 
 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the at least one baffle element comprises:
 a first baffle element installed inside of the autoclave at a first location; and 
 a second baffle element installed inside of the autoclave at a second location; 
 wherein the first baffle element and the second baffle element are configured to deploy at different target temperatures during the run cycle. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein:
 the at least one baffle element is installed on a ceiling of the autoclave. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein:
 the latch attaches to the surface inside of the autoclave, and contacts the baffle to secure the baffle in the retracted position; and 
 the latch includes a material that melts at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein:
 the latch attaches to the surface inside of the autoclave, and contacts the baffle to secure the baffle in the retracted position; and 
 the latch includes a material that softens at the target temperature, and flexes to release the baffle to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein:
 the latch attaches to the surface inside of the autoclave, and contacts the baffle to secure the baffle in the retracted position; and 
 the latch includes a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) material that has a first shape to secure the baffle in the retracted position, and transforms to a second shape at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein:
 the at least one baffle element includes:
 a spring mechanism that loads when the baffle is secured in the retracted position, and applies a return force to pivot the baffle to the deployed position when released. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein:
 the at least one baffle element includes:
 a stop that stops rotation of the baffle at the deployed position. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising:
 an indicator that indicates when the baffle is released to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein:
 the indicator includes a thermocouple wire installed in a path between the retracted position and the deployed position of the baffle; and 
 the baffle breaks a connection of the thermocouple wire when pivoting from the retracted position to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       20. A method of operating an autoclave, the method comprising:
 performing a thermal-analysis of the autoclave; 
 selecting a location for a baffle element within the autoclave based on the thermal-analysis; 
 installing the baffle element at the location, wherein the baffle element includes a baffle that attaches to a location inside of the autoclave via a hinge mechanism, and that pivots between a retracted position and a deployed position via the hinge mechanism; 
 selecting a target temperature for deploying the baffle during a run cycle of the autoclave; 
 securing the baffle in the retracted position with a latch; 
 initiating the run cycle; and 
 releasing the baffle to the deployed position with the latch during the run cycle when a temperature inside the autoclave reaches the target temperature. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20  further comprising:
 selecting the latch so that the latch changes state at the target temperature. 
 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21  wherein selecting the latch that changes state at the target temperature comprises:
 selecting a material for the latch that melts at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 21  wherein selecting the latch that changes state at the target temperature comprises:
 selecting a material for the latch that softens at the target temperature, and flexes to release the baffle to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 21  wherein selecting the latch that changes state at the target temperature comprises:
 selecting a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) material for the latch that transforms shapes at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 20  further comprising:
 installing an indicator that indicates when the baffle is released to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25  wherein installing the indicator comprises:
 installing a thermocouple wire in a path between the retracted position and the deployed position of the baffle; 
 wherein the baffle breaks a connection of the thermocouple wire when pivoting from the retracted position to the deployed position. 
 
     
     
       27. A method of controlling heat within an autoclave, the method comprising:
 initiating a run cycle of the autoclave; and 
 deploying a baffle within the autoclave during the run cycle from a retracted position to a deployed position to alter airflow within the autoclave and change heat transfer from the airflow to at least one region of a workpiece. 
 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 27  wherein deploying the baffle comprises:
 automatically deploying the baffle during the run cycle when a temperature inside the autoclave reaches a target temperature. 
 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 28  further comprising:
 selecting the target temperature for deploying the baffle based on a modeling of the heat transfer. 
 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 27  further comprising:
 modeling the heat transfer from the airflow within the autoclave to regions of the workpiece within the autoclave. 
 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 27  further comprising:
 selecting a location for the baffle within the autoclave based on a modeling of the heat transfer; and 
 installing the baffle at the location, wherein the baffle attaches to a surface inside of the autoclave via a hinge mechanism, and pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position via the hinge mechanism.